Machine for manufacturing battery plates



8 Sheets-Sheet l Sept. 22, 1953 A. R. wlLLARD MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BATTERY PLATES Filed oct. 28, 1947 725950 f? MLA/ ngo BY @23% EMM 7' TGQNEYS A. R. WILLARD 8 Sheets-Sheet 2 Sept. 22, 1953 MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BATTERY PLATES Filed oct. 28, 194'? INVENToR. .4U-45a ,E W/mo BY W @am ,2017551 @www rr'oAp/vays Sept. 22, 1953 Filed OO.. 28, 1947 A. R. WILLARD MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BATTERY PLATES 8 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,4free/vs ya Sept. 22, 1953 A. R. WILLARD 2,652,617

MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BATTERY PLATES Filed oct. 28, 1947 s sheets-sheet 4 INVENTOR. ,Q Ffa-o i. W/L neo v BY W mnywwm Sept. 22, 1953 A. R. WILLARDv 2,652,617

MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BATTERY PLATES Filed Oct' '28' 1947 a sheets-sheet 5 N :2z fg L g m f I f l j?? if) g G Og CL I l v f l '55 NU' 'rm f E\\\\ l@ :im l l if @"5 T85 dumb [my ,/l/ t:\ be mig/TOR. 55 I BY al? 4.444,0 T e g s* l; ,3 l 7 l v gi rrfA/Eys y Sept. 22, 1953 A. R. WILLARD 2,652,617

MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BATTERY PLATES Filed Oct. 28, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 6 Ulm, MIU

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INI I i INVENTOR. I 4u-@5o E Mu ,4430 BY Sept. 22, 1953 A. R. WILLARD 20652517 MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BATTERY PLATES l Filed oct. 28, 1947 ,a sheets-sheet 7 INVENTOR. @Fee-a ,6 Mu. ma

a' BY SePt- 22, 1953 A. R. wlLLARD 2,652,617

MACHINE FOR MANUFACTURING BATTERY PLATES Filed 0G17. 28, 1947 8 Sheets-Sheet 8 P 2s *nhg-x;-

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INVENTOR. Q4/w50 E Mango .BY

Ffa 14 mmy am@ Patented Sept. 22, 1953 UNITED STATES nTeNT .QPF-ICE `MACHINE Fon MANUFACTURING BATTERY rIhis inventionrelates to a machine for use in the manufacture of battery plates such as are commonly employedin storagebatteries of lead-acid type and, in. particular, to a machine for separating such plates, which are connected together by virtue of .theirgrids `having been cast as a unit, and for cleaning and trimming the lugs of the plates prior to their separation.

In the manufacture of platesfor storage batteries of the type referred to, the ygrids which hold the active material, are'sometimes cast in pairs joined by a thin web of metal. vrThis facilitates their handling through the pasting and drying machines which, respectively, force the active material, in theform' of .a paste,` into the recesses in the grids and dry the lpasted plates. Before the pasted and dried'plates are assembled into groups the twin vor -double plates are separated or broken apart and the -lugs thereon trimmed and cleaned.

An object of this invention is to provide anew and improved, simple, comparatively small, and compact machine 'for separating pairs of battery plates, of the character referred to, in a more eicient manner and with less injury tothe plates than heretofore possible.

Another object of 'the `invention is toprovide a new and improved machine vof the continuous type for separating storag'ebattery plates vof the character referred to `wherein the plates are rigidly and firmly held against vibration and other undesired and injurious movement while traveling through the machine so that the separation is effected'without injury to the plates even though they beV relatively thin and 'their grids formed of a relatively 'soft alloy.

A further object of the invention -is to provide a machine of the type defined in thetwo preceding objects and in which novel means are provided to trim and clean'vthe lugs of the plates prior to their separation. i

A still further object of the invention is the provision of a new and improved machine for separating storage battery plates ofthe character referred to, which are connected by anV intermediate portion or web cast integral with their grids, which machine employs a lpolygo'nally shaped drum uponlwhich the -plates are vfirmly held for cooperation Witha rotatable breakout wheel for removing or breaking out vthe intermediate portion, thus veffecting'separation of the .It is also an object of the invention to provide an improved machine of the character defined in the preceding object and in which novel and improved means are provided forcleaning the lugs of the plates of excess paste and trimming the same prior to separation of the plates and while the plates are in position upon the polygonal drum, the said cleaning means comprising non-rotatable brushes through which the lugs are passed by the rotation of the drum and which brushes are rocked to maintain their surfaces substantially parallel with the faces of the drum.

The invention further resides in certain novel features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts, and further objects and advantages thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains from the following description of the present preferred embodiment thereof, described with reference to the accompanyingdrawings in which similar reference characters represent corresponding parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevational View of a machine constructed in accordance with this invention, the door of -the cover for a portion of the driving mechanism being illustrated in open position to more clearly show the relationship of certain of the parts;

Fig. 2 is a top plan View of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1, the top cover plate thereof being removed and portions of the feeding mechanism and the cover for the driving mechanism being broken awayl to more clearly show the construction;

Fig. 3 is a rear end view of the machine illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 with the end housing or cover plates removed to more clearly show the construction;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary sectional View taken `substantially onv the section line i-ei of Fig. 2

with a portion of one of, the side members of the feeding hopper broken away;

Fig. 5 is a detached side View of the polygcnally shaped drum of the machine illustrated in Figs. l to i inclusive, afportion of the drum being broken away to more clearly show the plate holding lingers and their operating mechanisms, the stationary calmsA Vfor "effecting the finger operation also being illustrated;

Fig. 6 is an end -view of the drum and cams illustrated in Fig. 5, a portion of the drum being broken away substantially on the irre-guiar sectional line B-S of Fig. 5 to more clearly vshow the nature of `the linger operating mechanism;

Fig. i is an enlarged fragmentary view illus- 3 trating one of the lug trimming and lug cleaning mechanisms associated with the polygonally shaped drum and the means for adjusting these mechanisms for operation upon battery plates of different sizes;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary top plan View of one of the lug cleaning mechanisms illustrated in Figs. 4 and 7;

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the lug cleaning mechanism, the view being taken substantially on the section indicating line 9-9 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary top plan view, on an enlarged scale, of the mechanism for feeding the battery plates into the machine proper;

Fig. 11 is a sectional view through the feeding mechanism, the View being taken substantially on the irregular section indicating line ll-ll of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary View on an enlarged scale, partly in section and partly in elevation, and illustrating the novel breakout wheel and the cooperating depressible portion in an adjacent face of the polygonally shaped drum of the machine;

Fig. 13 is a plan view of a conventional double or twin battery plate before the individual plates thereof have been separated;

Fig. 14 is a side elevational View of one of the crank arms for operating the nger mechanism associated with the polygonal drum; and

Fig. l5 is a front elevational view of the crank arm illustrated in 14.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 13 shows identical battery plates i and 2i united by a central portion or web 22 cast integral with the grids of the plates, the assembly being designated generally as P. The web joins the plates 2li, 2i either at spaced points, or is united substantially continuously therewith by relatively thin portions depending upon the nature of the mold employed in casting the grids. The central portion or web 22 between the two plates 25, 2i is removed in effecting separation of the plates and Vand3i.

its removal must be such as to leave unharmed A* the spaced projections 23, 24, 25 and 23 on the separated plates, which form stub feet for the latter. The plate 20 is also provided with an outwardly projecting lug 2l' and a corresponding lug 28 is provided upon the plate 2l. These lugs are normally cast of greater length than their desired nal size and during the pasting operation some of the paste generally adheres to portions thereof. The lugs must be trimmed to proper length, and the active material which has been deposited thereon removed before the plates are united with connecting straps in a conventional manner to form a plate group.

In employing the machine of this invention for operating upon twin or double plates of the type illustrated in Fig. 13, a quantity of the latter are placed in the feeding portion or hopper' 23 of the machine. This feeding hopper corrprises a pair of spaced parallel members 3d and El which are here illustrated as castings having their upper surface smoothly nished and inclined to receive the lugs 2l, 23 of the battery plates and provide a guiding and supporting surface therefor. To provide for plates of differont sizes, the lower portion of the member 3s is provided with enlarged two-part bosses 32 and 33 in which are clamped nuts 3.4 and 35, respectively. The member 3| is similarly provided with enlarged two-part bosses 38 and 3l in which nuts 38 and 39 are non-rotatably mounted. An adjusting rod 4S having spaced right and left handed threaded portions thereon, passes` through the nuts 34 and 38 and a similarly threaded adjusting rod 4I passes through the nuts S5 and 39. Hence, by rotating the adjusting rods si] and 4I, the width of the space between the members 3i) and 3| may be adjusted so that plates of different sizes may be accommodated therebetween.

The adjusting rods 49, 4I are rotatably supported in stationary brackets 42 and 43 which are, in turn, bolted or otherwise secured to a vertically extending portion 44 of the housing or frame for the machine. These brackets are transversely braced by rods or bars 45a and 45h attached to the brackets 42 and 43, these rods being slidable in openings provided therefor in the bosses 32, 33, 36 and 3l of the members 30 Adjacent ends of the adjusting rods 40 and il extend beyond the outer side of the supporting bracket 42 and the outer ends of these rods are provided, respectively, with beveled gears 4G and 4l. The gear it meshes with a bevel gear 48a while the gear l meshes with the bevel gear 48h, the gears 48a. and 48h being pinned to a shaft 49 supported upon the bracket 42 by spaced bearing plates 56 and 5i. The end of the adjusting rod 40, opposite to that which is provided with the bevel gear GS, has a crank 52 attached thereto by which the rod Gil may be rotated and, through the gears 45, d8a, 48h and di, the rod lll will be correspondingly rotated so that the members 3B and 3l are moved towards or away from each other while remaining substantially parallel.

The bottoms of the twin or double battery plates P rest upon rockable spaced bars 53 and 5d, see Figs. l, 4, 10 and 11. The outer ends of these bars are pivotally supported by means of studs 55 and 55 upon the members 3Q and 3l, respectively, while the inner ends of the bars are provided with downwardly directed lugs or brackets in which a transversely extending rod 5l' is slidably supported. Intermediate the bars 53 and 54 the rod 5l is connected with downwardly extending connecting rods 58a and 58h, the upper threaded ends of which pass through spaced holes in the rod 5l and are provided with suitable nuts on either side of the rod 5l to secure the rods 53a and 58h against relative displacement with respect to the rod El. The lower ends of the rods 58a, and 53h are secured to the outer ends of arms 59a and 59h, the inner ends of which are slidably keyed or splined to a transversely extending shaft 573 which is journalled in the brackets 42 and of the feeding mechanism. The shaft @d is also provided with a bent projecting arm Gl the outer end of which is provided with a roller 52 for cooperation with a cam S3 provided upon a shaft f'i.

The construction just described is such that, when the shaft Ell is rotated, the cam 63 causes the arm El to be periodically raised and lowered thus rocking the shaft te. This raises and lowers the rods 58a and 53h and, consequent, the inner ends of the bars 53 and 54. Hence, the twin plates P are periodically jogged or moved up and down with respect to the members 3G and 3l, the upper surfaces of which support the lugs of the plates. This continuously repeated action causes the plates to feed or move with respect to the members Sil and 3| of the feeding mechanism since the upper surfaces of these members are inclined towards the operating portion of the machine. v

The motion of the twin plates P downwardly `transverse movement therebetween.

53 4and lthe plates lbeing lied soneata time lbeyond the stop member `65 -and into :engagement with a rotating polygonally :shaped drum .in a manner Aand for a purpose hereinafter fdescribed.

The fact that the outer ends of the bars 53and t rarepivoted to the members 3|]:and i3| enables adjustment `of the fspace between :the latter, :by means of the crank L52, Yto likewise adjust the spacing between the bars l53 and "54. In order that the kbars twill .follow the imembers $30 :and l3 throughout their fientire .length whenradjusted, so as to remain parallel'therewith, .the-.said bars53 and d are provided twith slotted. openings adjacent Ithe transversely extending :rod 551 nand each of ithese slotted openings receive .a headed stud fil and @d respectively, the yinner-ends of which are threaded into the bosses y33 and 31, respectively. Henoethe barsiand are 'free to rock in accordance with the operation of thecam .X63 and yet 4are spaced 'towards .or away .from 'each other, when the members and A3| lare moved by actionof the crank :52,1it 'being lremembered thatthe inner ends of th'esmenibers'tand'' are freely. slidableuponthe bai-'57.

The arm 'or :lever-.TBI is provided .intermediate itsends withaprojecting studBQiwhich rockably supports a quadrilaterally shaped block .'iiJ, received within a forked bracket provided adjacent one end of a'transversely extending'plate ll, see

Fig. e. This plate 'l| is 'guided for movement at substantially right angles with respect to the upper surface ofthemembers and 3| by slotted openings in guide kplates 'l2 Yand '1.3 which are secured to the brackets 42 and 453. As shown in Figs. 10 and ll, the plate 1| is provided intermediate its ends and parallel with the top surface thereof, with substantially horizontally extending slotted openings 'M and 115. YStraddling the plate il are the forked lowerends 76 and "H 'of spaced upwardly extendingrods 'I8 and 19, the forked portion ld and 'v1-'l being provided with pins and Si rextending through the slotted openings 'ifi and l5, respectively, 'thereby connecting the forked members 15 and 'I1 to the plate ll while permitting a limited `amount of The rods ld and le are guided-by and extended through brackets @Band '83 which are-connected with the members et andii respectively. Hence, by this construction adjustment of the spacing between the members t and 3| will correspondingly adjust the spacing between therods '|78 and "|19, this action being permitted bythe slotted openings 'iii and l5.

The upper ends of the rods-'wand 319 are provided with adjustingnutssuchfas 84, 4see Fig. 4,

into'the upper ends of which-are threaded plate `lifting rods such as85. Thei'plate-lifting rods`85 are guided for reciprocation by plate holdback members Se yand 81 provided -upon the forward ends of the members Si] andf3 |,`-respectively. The

`forward portions of .these lplateholdback members de and il? are each providedwith an upstanding beveled stop portion and 89, respectively, which :are ladapted to'engage1the..1ugs `2'! and 2t of the .batteryplatestas ythe;iatte1-';ar.efed

forward by the jogging .l action of the `bars 15.513 fand 5'4, and the upper lends-ofthe :lifting rods dit .are guided inthe plate holdbaokamembers lforreciprocation adjacent Ithesestop portions to sequentially liftthe `batter-y plates fthereover. This 0peration iis due tothe rotationof-:thecam` E13 which vcauses rocking Lof 4thefleverior arm itil ,isozthat `the stud t9 .carried .thereby feifects ireciprocation foi the plate 7H twhichin lzturnamoves the .rods SH3, f5.9 and Vrods ltd .connected :therewith The reciprocation of .the Arods causes .the beveled upper ends thereof to engagethe lugs'of `thattwin:pla-,te Pwhichis resting againstitheestop .portions that and lft ythe lugs=suiiiciently to :pass over `the :said stop portions, the ylugsoi Athe twin plate sliding by :gravity downwardly 4over `the ;b,eveled:surfaces ofthe .rods .85 andthe stop members .S8 :and 183, andsonto the forwardly extending .bars itllrandl. These --bars are; substantiallyX aligned :with ithe top surfacesl of the members 3d and 3|, respectively, and are .portions lof brackets i12 .andfilt :which fare secured to the forward zedges of .thestop plates Stand- Sl', respectively.

interposed between `the :forked lower portions .land ll,.of the rods :1.8 :and liand .their guiding brackets .|12 .and .83 are compression :springs :et and .ed which urge @the .rods .78 .and :lt downwardly .so that the beveled :upper .ends .of the connected lifter :rods @ST5 are retained :in va retracted position until lifted under .the :iniiuence of .the .cam ,5.3 `upon :the .rocking .arm .61. The upper portions .of .each :of itheLholdback iplates 536, di Vare provided with lift adjusting members :9.9, Sl, .,respectively, which iextend rrelatively eclosely above .the top edges '.of :the 'plates'P as they :are fed forwardly along :thatfportion-.of themembers te .and :3| provided vwith 1the eho'ldback plates. The .forward edges `of .the members 19.6, ill yare adjustable .towardsandrawayitrom thestop.11nem bers .Sd .andid so thationlyaa single twin plate `can `be .lifted `ther'epast by .thezrods 15, vthe members Et :and LS? preventing lifting :of .the remaining plates :by engaging .the .upper Aedges thereof. Hence, but asingleztwiniplateat.-aatime is fed forwardly uponzthe :extensionbars QGJand 9|. Aszwill be seenefromlE-ig. A, thememberslet and el .are substantially Leshapefd, 4*and have the longer legs :thereof slidably :guided :by the y.upper portion of theholdback :plateseBGlandii'L vrespectively. The l shorter nir-:substantially vertical legs of these members :each has an adjusting .screw 93, at, respectively, `.rotatably mounted therein and held, against longitudinal :displacement vwith respect.thereto;these=;screwsf.havingithreaded; engagementrespectivelywithfthreadedlugs dell and iti provided upon vthe iupper surfaces of the holdback,` plates dii and B1.

The eXtensionbars-for members iiz'and'i eX-- -tend :parallel with, `and in .a slight overlapping relationship to,1the sidestof Vapolygonally.shaped drum |62 which fisrotatably supportedibetween the vertical side fframe :or ip'anel v.members its and 'iM of themachine'bymeansrofia shaft it. VThis f drum constitutes tthe :means :forzsupporting and firmly holding zthei-.twinzplates `Pzwhile Ibeing .carried past the .flug .cutters, .the lug cleaning means and the .break-ouhwheel vr.which operate upon -the battery plates. `.The;drumrheresshown is octagonal in congurationfand is-hollow, being formed from fiat metal iplates suitably rselcured together. The drumiis` providedzwith'hub portions l 0E and `|.|1'l-which:arelkeyedftoftheishaft y|05 :for rotation therewith and eachgface m8, Vabout Ithe polygonal periphery of :the idrum, is provided with -a .plurality of :rockable fngers .for

gripping arid holding battery plates firmly to the surface of the faces during the operations performed upon the plates. As most clearly shown in Figs. 2, 4, and 6, these fingers are arranged in two groups adjacent the axially extending edges of the faces |08 of the drum, the fingers of each group having angularly extending portions directed towards each other. Thus, a plurality, in the present instance four, of fingers |09 are arranged adjacent one axially extending edge of each face |08, while a corresponding number of oppositely directed fingers ||0 are disposed in axially spaced arrangement adjacent the other transversely extending edge of each face. Each of the faces |08 is provided with corresponding sets of these inwardly directed fingers |09 and ||0, and since these sets of fingers are the same and are operated in the same manner for all of the faces only one set thereof will be described in detail,

The fingers |09 for each face of the drum are mounted to rock with a shaft the ends of which are rotatably supported in suitable journals ||2 and ||3 secured to the sides ||4 and ||5 of the drum. The fingers |09 project through slotted openings in the face |08 of the drum and are substantially hook-shaped so that when said fingers are fully extended they will firmly grip the edge of a battery plate and hold the latter against the face |08 of the drum. Also secured to the shaft I to rock therewith is a short arm ||6 disposed within the drum, the outer end of which arm is bifurcated. Received within the bifurcated end of the arm ||6 is one end of a connecting link ||1 which is pivotally connected to the arm ||0 by a connecting pin H8. The other end of the link ||1 is pivotally connected to the outer end of a short arm ||9, the inner end of which is pinned to Ia transversely extending shaft |20. Also mounted upon the shaft is a spring'anchor |2| to which is connected one end of a tension spring |22, the other end of the spring |22 being connected with the pin H8 providedin the arm ||6.

The shaft |20 extends beyond the side ||5 of the drum, and the outer end of this shaft is provided with a crank arm |23. The outer end of this crank arm |23 is provided with a roller or cam follower |24 which is adapted to ride over the curved surface of a stationary cam |25. It will be observed that the construction is such that the action of the springs |22 is to rock the fingers |09 in a direction such that they are fully extended through the slots in the faces |08 of the drum, in other words are in a position to grip a battery plate. This action of the springs |22 also causes the arms |23 to be rocked to a position such that the rollers or cam followers |24 are extended into the path of the stationary cam |25 which is connected to the sidewall |03 of the frame for the machine. Hence, as the drum is rotated, in the direction indicated by the arrow R in Fig. 5, the rollers |24 sequentially engage this cam |25, thus rocking the corresponding arms |23 inwardly which in turn forces the links |1 outwardly against the action of the springs |22. This rocks the fingers |09 with respect to the surface of the faces of the drum so that battery plates may be released therefrom or placed in engagement therewith.

The lingers ||0 for each face |08 of the drum are mounted upon a transversely extending shaft |26, being connected with the shaft to rock therewith. The ends of these shafts |26 are rotatably mounted in suitable journals carried by the end walls I|4, ||5 of the drum in the same manner as are the shafts Likewise, the shafts |26 are each provided with a radially extending arm |21, the outer end of which is bifurcated to straddle the outer end of a connecting link |28, the link being connected with the arm |21 by a pin |29 which also secures the lower end of a tension spring |30 thereto. The inner end of each link |28 is pivotally connected to the outer end of a radially extending arm |3| which is secured to .a transversely extending shaft |32. Each shaft |32 is also provided with a spring anchor |33 to which is secured the inner end of the compression spring |30.

The shafts |32 each extend through the end wall |I4 of the drum, and the outer extending ends of these shafts are each provided with crank arms |34 having cam followers or rollers |35 mounted thereon and adapted to cooperate with a stationary cam |36 which is fastened to the sidewall or panel frame member |04 of the machine and extends in spaced parallel relationship with respect thereto. The action of the rollers |35, cranks |34, shafts |32, links |28, and springs |30 is the same as previously explained for the corresponding rollers, cranks, links, and springs associated with the fingers |09. That is to say, the springs |30 normally urge the fingers I0 to a position for gripping the edge of a battery plate to the face |08 of the drum. As the drum r0- tates, however, the rollers |35 engage the stationary cam |36, thereby actuating the fingers to plate releasing position, that is, moves them with respect to the surface of the face of the drum so that .a plate held thereby may be released and a new plate gripped.

It will be observed that the arms ||9 extend in substantially diametrically opposite directions from their companion crank arms |23 and likewise the arms |3| and the companion crank arms |34 extend in substantially diametrically opposite directions from each other. Moreover, the arms ||9 and |31 extend in opposite directions from each other so that the crank arms |23 and |34 are oppositely disposed. Therefore, the stationary cam |25 is mounted approximately degrees in advance of the stationary cam |36 so that the fingers |09 and ||0 for any given face |00 are actuated substantially simultaneously. It will also be observed that small transversely extending stop strips or plates |31 and |38 are secured to the faces |08 of the drum adjacent tlie trailing edges thereof, the direction of rotation of the drum being indicated by the arrow R. in Fig. `5. There are two such stop strips or plates for each face of the drum located between the outer pairs of fingers ||0 thereon.

The construction is such that, as the battery plates are fed one at a time by means of the feeding mechanism just described, each of the plates so fed will move under the influence of gravity into contact with a separate face I 08 of the rotating drum, being guided in this movement by the extensions 90, 9| of the feeding mechanism. The lower edge of each of the twin plates P thus fed will come to rest upon the upper edge of the stop plates or strips |31, |38 of a face of the drum, the cams |25 and |26 having meanwhile operated the fingers |09 and ||0 of that face of the drum to retract the fingers to the positions shown for the vertical face |08 on the right hand side of Fig. 5. The rotation of the drum and the operation of the feeding mechanism is so timed that a double plate is fed from the latter to the former in exaceacr'z act synchronism. as just described: Due to the momentum. or theV double plate. andthe posi.- tioning of theparts ofthe-mechanism, a double battery. plateso fed will tend to'v fall against the face It of thedrum.

As the drum continues to rotate,.the1 double plate', thus supported, passes-under a roller |39 which is rotatably supported at the outer end of a bentV arm |45', the other end of. which is rotatably mounted upon. a transversely extend.- ing shaft |412 (see Fig. Ll) This roller i3?, serves to insurev that the; battery plates are in firm engagement. with the face 88. ofthe drum, andthe continued rotationof the. drum causes the :lingers Iii!) and i1. to move outwardly to the plate grippingA positions as the rollersv |24 and |35 pass.l beyond. the; corresponding cams E and TheY double plate is. thus. firmly gripped by the fingers |69 and il@ upon a rigid, smooth surface and is so retained throughout the succeeding. operations performed upon the double plate by thev mechanism about tobeole-- scribed. .fter these subsequent operations have been completed, the further rotation of the drum again brings ther rollers. |24 and |35 into engagement. with. their corresponding cams |25 E` to sequentially release the separated battery plates'asy hereinafter described.

Referring. now. to Figures l, 2 and 3 of the drawings,itwillbie seen that the machine is operated by a single electrical. motor |42 which is pivotally supported by thetwo upstandingbrackets litt provided. upon the base of the machine iiifi" in conventional manner. Thefoutput shaft of the'. motor |142iisprovided'v/tha; pulley 145, about which. is trained a. belt. |45: which also passes about a. variable diametery pulley 541 mounted upon a` shaft M8 and forming a part of a variable speed mechanism. The base of the motor has aL rod |49 attached thereto which is providediwith. adjusting nuts l5@ and a coil spring. i151.. the latter extending betweenA the nuts f and a. stationary plate |52 attached tothe bracketsY U13. This enables the tension upon the beltV 45: to be adjusted, as is well understood in the art. The shaft |45' is also. provided withv ay variable diameter pulley |53; about wl'iicb.` trained. a belt |54 which. also. passes about a relatively largev diameter pulley provided upon a. shaft |56', the latter being supported between' spaced uprights |51,l i513 attached to. the side plate or. frame member |54 of the machinek (see Fig. 3). A crank |59- attached to ak threaded rod I6@ cooperates with the pulleys |41 and" |53. in av Well-known manner' to varythe diameterof the latter and thereby change thek speed of rotation of the pulley |55. Since this variable speed mechanism is well known in t'hef art, itneednot be described ilo-further detail.

The shaft |5E` is further provided with: a sprocket wheel 1.61 about which is: trained a chain 62; The chain |62 also passes about a large diameter sprocket wheel Iiiiprovided upon the shaft et` which. is journaled in; av bearing mounted on` the side or` frame plate |04, the sha-ft 54- extending` inwardly of the frame plate 1h41 and. carrying the; cam eSi ony the: inner end thereof. The shaft 6,431 is also provided, adjacent the outer face' of. the frame or supportplate m4, with. a, small diameter spur gear it@ which is in mesh with av large diameter spur gear |65 keyed or: otherwise connected to the shaft tot.; for the drum. rIzhe gear ratios are so chosenithatfthesha'ft t4 makes: eight rerlfd? olut-ions. tofone revolution of the,` shaft |55` so that aplatePvis fed into engagement with each face, |118` of; the drum. |92. as the latter rotates past` the feeding mechanism.v

Thev shaft 64 also-has; a sprocket wheell |66 connected thereon; and provided with a chain |61 which is trained about asprocket wheel |68 connected with the.V shaft |4|- to. rotate. thev latter. Slidably keyed. to the shaft |41, adjacent the sidesofV-thedrum |52, are hubsv |69and |10. To the inner.` face'of each ofthe hubs |691and |19 is connected a lug cutter disk |11 and |12, respectively. These. disks,Y arel frusto-conical in; shape, with their bases facing and parallel with the sides M13, |134 of the machine. The other face of each` of the hu-bsf IES:I and |10 is provided` with spur gears |113 and; |14. which mesh,` respectively; with corresponding spur gears such as. |15 rotatably mountedY on stub shafts` |1-6/and |11, respectively. TheseV stub shafts |15 and |11 are mounted upon the;V vertical frame or sidey plate members |133, |134, respectively, and the inner endsof'the.shafts-|15, E11terminate adjacent the corresponding sides ofthe polygonal' drumY |62?.

The gears |15 are each connectedwith an end face of hub members similar to I 69 and L1B, these hub` members-being rotatably mounted upon the shafts |16-1and|111t rIheflatter-hub members; and the gears |15 are held in alignment, with the hub members andfgearsupon the shaft; |4| by bracket members |1f and |19= the endsV ofeach. ofwhich have semi-circular openings received' within grooves intermediate the` ends; ofthe. hubs |65; |1, respectively; and corresponding grooves in the hubV membersycarfried by the shafts |3113, i151?. The inner racesv of the hub,4 members; upon the shats'. |16,V |11. are; provided; with frusta-conically shaped lugl cutters |18=a`nd |81 which have their bases disposed towards the-endiacesof the drum |192; The base edges adjacent the cutters |.1|, |23@ are in alignment andi the base edgesion the cutters |12; |811 are; likewiseVVV inI alignment, The base edges of these cutters form relatively sharp cutting edges and: the cutters are so positioned relative tothe' drum that their meeting point is at the proper: elevation for the lugs of the battery plate to: pass therebetween as the drum |62 is rotated. Henoathe undesired portions` of the lugs are cleanly severed by. these cutters. Thelug cutter disksare adjustable towards and away from the drum for the purpose of accommodating platesof different sizes, or to regulate the amount severed;v from the lugs, bymechanism about to be described.

Adjacent the shafts |411, |16, and |11' and' eX- tending parallel' therewith is a rectangularly shaped bar 82, the sides of which are inclined to the horizontal. The ends of this bar are securely attached, as by weldingv or thelikey tov end plates |83 and i134A which are in turn mounted upon the vertical side platesor panels Iii, |04 of the machine. The bar |32- eXtends with a sliding rit through correspondingly shapedv openings provided inthe brackets |18 and |19, onehalf of the opening ineach of the bracket members |18, |19 being providedv upon inclined projections of the brackets; the other half; of each opening being provided in` cap members |85, |86 attached to the said projections upon the bracket members (see Fig, 4). Each of the capl members |85., ISS has attached thereto adivl'ded nut |81. ist, respectively, cooperating with rightand left-hand. threaded, portions upon an: adjusting shaft |89. the outerA end otwhich is; provided with a crank |90. The construction is such that when the crank |90 is turned the nuts |81, |88 are moved along the shaft |89 corresponding amounts in opposite directions, and since these are connected with the brackets |18, |19 both sets of cutters and spur gears are simultaneously adjusted relative to the drum |02.

By virtue of the fact that the cutters |1|, |12 and the gears |13, |14 are connected with the hubs |18 and |19 which are keyed to the shaft MI, and since the shaft |4| is driven by means of the sprocket wheel |68 and chain |61, the cutters |1| and |12 are continuously rotated throughout the operation of the machine. Moreover, the cutters |80 and |8| are rotated in synchronism with the cutters |1| and |12 by the intermeshing of the gears |13 and |14 with the gears |15.

The 'brackets |18 and |19 are each further provided with aligned bores below the connection for the bar |82. These bores are each surrounded by bosses such as |9| (see Fig. 8) welded to, or formed integral, with the brackets and forming the journals for the lug cleaning means assemblies. These assemblies are identical and hence only one will be described in detail. As shown in Fig. 4, a cam |92 having an arcuate surface of relatively great curvature has one face thereof, adjacent its inner end, welded or otherwise secured to a stud |93 which extends through the boss i9 the inner end of the stud being threaded and provided with a suitable nut |94. This stud and hence the cam |92 are held from rotation relative to the bushing |9| by means of a pin, setscrew, or the like |95. Intermediate the cam |92 and the bushing |9|, the stud |93 passes through a bore in a boss |99 provided at one end of a swing arm |91 forming a part of the support for cleaning brushes which are adapted to engage the lugs of the battery plates after they have been cut to the correct length to clean the lugs of paste or other deposits that may be clinging thereto.

The end of the arm |91, opposite to that through which the stud |93 passes, is provided wlth a transversely extending bore and a large surrounding boss |93 which rotatably receives a short stub shaft |99. The outer end of the shaft |99 has an elongated, rectangularly shaped arm 299 extending radially therefrom and connected thereto for rotation therewith. This arm 299 extends above and rests upon the curved upper surface of the cam |92. The other end of the shaft |99 carries a radially extending arm 29| which is provided with a pair of spaced bores which extend in a direction at right angles to the shaft |99. The arm 20| is keyed or otherwise connected with the stub shaft |99 to rotate therewith and with the arm 298. Through the last-mentioned bores in the arm 29| extend brush mounting and adjusting screws 292, 293 which are provided with nuts such as 294, 295 for adjustably positioning brush holders 299 and 291. The brush holders 299 and 201 are provided with stiii:` bristles 298, 209 extending towards each other at somewhat of an angle and with the inner ends meeting in a plane which is'adapted to be maintained substantially parallel with a face of the polygonal drum as the latter is rotated therepast. This is essential to prevent twisting and breaking of the lugs as they pass through the brushes during the rotation of the drum, since it will be rememberd that the angle which the face of the drum makes with a given transverse plane of the machine changes during the rota- 12 tion of the drum. The bracket |18 is provided with a similar cam and brush assembly.

In order to impart to the brushes a movement such as to cause their meeting plane to remain. substantially parallel with a face of the drum during rotation of the latter, the drum shaft |95 is provided, adjacent either side of the drum, with star-shaped cam members 2|0, 2H. For convenience in assembly, these cams are shown as formed from metal plates in two halves or portions with an enlarged rectangular journal portion welded thereto, the two portions being bolted together as is clearly shown in Fig. Li. The swing arms |91, which are rockably supported upon the brackets |18, |19 by studs such as |93, each have a downwardly extending integral portion 2|2 which, respectively, rotatably supports cam rollers 2|3 and 2|4 for cooperation with the adjacent star wheels 2|0 and 2| The construction just described is such that, with the shaft |05 rotating in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 4, the star-shaped cam wheels 2|9, 2| will cause the swinging arm portions such as |91 to rock about the studs |93, thus elevating the brush assemblies from their lowermost position as indicated by the dotted position of the cam roller 2|4 in Fig. 4, to a position in which the plane of the meeting line of the brush bristles 208, 209 is parallel with the adja cent face of the drum which is just approaching the brushes. As the drum continues to rotate and the angle which this face of the drum makes with stationary parts of the machine varies, the angle of the plane of meeting of the brush bristles is correspondingly altered by the joint action of the star-shaped cam wheels 2|9 and 2|| and the arcuately shaped cams |92. That is to say, the path of motion of the brushes is jointly determined by the cam wheels 2|9, 2H and by the arcuate cams |92, it being reinem-- bered that the latter are non-rotatably supported upon the brackets |18, |19 and cooperate with the arms 290 which are, in turn, connected to rock the stub shaft such as |99 and the arms such as 20| to which the brush holders are connected. The motion will be seen to comprise a rocking of the brush assemblies as a whole about the studs |93 by means of the star wheels, the angle of the brush bristles being controlled by the rocking of the brushes about the shafts |99 as controlled by the shape of the cams cooperating with the arms 200. By Virtue of this construction the plane of meeting of the brush bristles is maintained substantially parallel with each face of the drum as it is rotated past the brushes so that the lugs on the battery plates carried thereby may pass through the brushes without twisting or distortion.

Since the brush assemblies are supported upon the brackets |18 and |19, as just described, operation of the crank not only effects adjustments of the lug cutters but also adjusts the width between the two brush assemblies, keeping each brush assembly and lug cutter set in proper alignment for any adjusted position.

As previously mentioned, the battery plates P which are introduced into the machine are in the nature of twin or double plates which are to be separated by the machine, this being effected by breaking out the central joining strip 22 which unites the two individual plates 20 and 2| of each twin (see Fig. 13). In order that this may be effected without damage to the adjacent borders of the individual plates, or injury to the stub feet such as 23, 24, 25, 26 upon the adjacent edges of encimera the individual plates, each facezfofA the drum |02 is. provided with a depressibleistrip portionv 2fl5 having a shape substantiallyY similar to that. of the portion22 to be removed (see Figserf, 6; I` and i2)l Movablestrip portion. 21:5- has spacedlaterally extending recesses whichilierunder thespaced portions of' the battery plates and. in which' extend rigid portions: of the drinn` face. 'llhesedepressible portions extend substantialls7 rnedially of the faces of the drum so as tobe substantially aligned with the portions 22 of' the plates when the latter have been fed into engagement with the drum and` firmly gripped thereon as previously described. Aswill be seen in Figs. 6 and r2, each of these depressible portions 2 |51 isznormaliy maintained in the plane ofthe-corresponding face of the drum by means of compression springszZIiS and 21| lV which surround; depending: studs- 2 I tand 2 I 9 connected withithe portion 25E-5 and extending towards. the center oi' the drum, theinner ends, of these: studs passing through4 bores in. the bight portions of U-shaped brackets; 222iand- 222|, respectively, with the springs 2id and. 2M being disposed between` the depressible portion 21,5 and the brackets. The studs 2%8; 2da hav/ea sliding t in the-brackets 225; 22-5' and theinner ends-vof thesestuds are provided with nuts 222 and 223 by which the position of the depreesibleportions 2l-5 relative to the surfaceof thel face Hi8 may be adjusted to render these parts coplanar.

As the plates are carried by the drum through the machine, while supportedv by the fingers |09, tI- and with the central portion 22 of the plates in alignment with the depressible portions 2de, the plates rst have their lugs trimmed and cleaned as just described yand then passbeneath a breakout wheel 224- of novel construction and operation. This wheelI exerts a predetermined adjustable pressure upon the centra-l: portion 22 of each double plate, breaking thelatter freeffrom the adjacent individual plates 2u Iand 2I1 by depressing the portion 2|5y thereunder, the pla-tes being firmly held at this time so that they cannot slip or otherwise` move which. would cause4 improper breakingy out of theportion 22 with; consequent injury to the plates.

In order to effect this operation, the breakout wheel 22d is rotatably supportedI at the outer end of a rocking 225, the inner endofthe latter being keyed to a sleeve 226 (see Fig.v 2) which is journalled in bearings 221 and 228! carried; by the frame of the machine. The outer end. ofthe arm 225 providesV a journal forY a short shaft 229 to which is keyed. a` hub.. member 23d provided withz arcuate slots 253| rPhe breakoutwheel 224 is provided with threaded holes, spaced' in accord:- ance withthespacing of the slot-,S1222 ofthe hub member 23.0, the wheel being adjustably con'- nected to the hub member byv screws 232 which pass through the slots 2315 and aref threaded' into the holes` inf the wheel. 22d. will be`- readily understood, loosening of the screwsi 23.2 will en,- able theY breakout Wheel 224 to be adjusted circumferentially with respect to the hub. 230i.

The shaft 225 is. also providedv with a sprocket wheel 233 which is secured tothe shaftby means of `a setscrew,. or the like, 234 so that'the sprocket 233, shaft 22S', hub 230, andi breakout Wheel 224 rotate together as a unit. The sprocket 233 driven by means of a chain 235 whichpasses therearoundl and around a sprocket wheel 2336 keyedy or otherwise secured toy a shaft 237 which is rotatably supported within thesl'eeve 2 26. The shaft 237; projectsV outwardly beyondf the endoi the sleeve 226 and beyond: the-wall or sidepanel 14 IM of the irraclzxinrrtrame,v this. projectingv outer end'I of. theshait,r being: provided. with a sprocket Wheel 2:38iwhich1isdraWnbyI a sprocket wheel239, keyed to a@ shaft 24D; through the medium` of a.. Chain 214 Ii (See Figs; 1 and: 2,). The shaft. 246 also-hassecured thereto: aspur gear 242 of relatively'smalldiameter which is'in continuous mesh with the gear andi istherefore driven' in predetermined' timerel'ationship with the rotation of thedrunr |021, Consequently, the breakout Wheel 22A; isf also rotated' in timed relationshipV with the; rotation: of the; drum.

The: shaft 2li-Ily is: provided, intermediate the sprocket; 239 and the gearv 24.2, with ya cam 243 which. is; connected to the shaft 24|)- to rotate therewith. Thiscam cooperateswith a cam roller or follower 2M- whichv is: journalled on the outer end ot' radially extending arm 245, the inner end of; the latter being; journalled upon the sleeve 226?. Clamped or.- otherwise secured to the, sleeve 22,6 adjacent the arnr 24-5- is a shorter arm 246, the outer end off which is provided with spaced inwardlyv directed flangesy or ears 241 and' 24B which overliethe sides-ofv the arm 245 iny spaced relationship thereto; rIhe ange or ear 247 is provided with an adjusting screw 249 and the flange: orear' 2485 is provided with an adjusting screw. 25a, these: screws: being: threaded through the nanges or ears with.: their inner ends in contact with the edges of' the arm 245', the screws being reta-ined in adjusted; position by means of suitable nuts; The arm 245 is therefore connectedf torock thesleeveZ-ZB through the'medium` of the armI 22561, the angular relationship of the arms 225, 2:48; being adjustable by means of the screws 24.9 and: 2561 Hence,v as. the shaft 240 is rotated, the cam 24% carried thereby causes the arms2451andMitoberocked; thus rocking the shaft 221il and thefbreakout wheel arm 225, thereby moving the axis of the breakout wheel towards and awayv from the axis of the drum |92 on which the battery plates are carried. The arm 245 is urgedV intoA continuous engagement with theL cam 24'3 by meansv of a tension springl 25| which is: connected between a xed. stud or pin 252,. mounted: the Wall or'side panel IEM, and one end of an adjusting turnbuckle 253, the other end or the latter being. connected to a. projecting pin: orl studi 251i: on the arm 245:.

The shape: of the cam: 2I3f and its speedv of rotation areA such: that the arm 225I is rocked .in amannerto cause the axis of the breakout wheel to. remain substantially parallel with the adjacent face of the drum. |02 while the latter is rotated therepastl so that the wheel 222 exerts a substantially constant, uniform pressure upon the central portion 22' of each of the double battery plates P'. Hence', these portions 22, which arefsupported? upon. the depressible strips or portions` 215. of the drum faces, are sequentially broken free from the adjacent individual plates 25o' andi 2- I asa result of thel pressure of the rotating wheel 2-24 movingI thereover. It will be observed that the= periphery of the breakout wheel 22112 is provided with circumferentially spaced notches or recesses: 2155.; The spacing of these notches or recessesis such, and the speed of rotation of the wheel-l is' such, that one of the said notches or recesses is adjacent a face |08 of the drum |02 at the time when each pair of stub'- feet such as 23, 25 or 24, 26 of the battery plates is passing under the breakout wheel. These notches or recesses 2525A straddle the. saidreet, of thel battery plates: in order that they may not be: injured or damaged by the breakout Wheel,

l the width of which is substantially equal to the width of the main portion of the center section 22 of the plates to insure a clean separation of this portion from the individual plates 26 and 2|. Adjustment to insure that the notches 255 will exactly straddle the feet of the plates is effected by means of the previously described screw-s 232 which enable the breakout wheel 224 to be circumferentially adjusted relative to its hub and sprocket 230 and 233. The pressure exerted by the breakout wheel upon the central connecting portion of the double battery plates is adjusted by means of the screws 249 and 256 which change the angular relationship between the arms 245 and 246, thereby altering the extent of rocking imparted to the arm 245 by means of the cam 243.

After the drum |62 has rotated past the breakout wheel, the fingers |09 and hold the two separated plates, corresponding to the portions 20 and 2| of the twin plate P, firmly in position while the drum continues a portion of its further rotation. Also, the severed portion 22 remains in position between the two separated plates 26, 2| but is now severed therefrom. The plates are so held until the stationary cams |25 and |36 operate the corresponding crank arms |23 and |34 to release the corresponding lingers |69 and H6, which occurs when the plates have reached substantially their lowermost position while being carried by the drum. The plates then fall by gravity upon a multiple belt conveyor 256, the individual belts of which are horizontally spaced from each other and extend from a grooved pulley or drum 251 (see Fig. 2) mounted upon a shaft 258 adjacent the rear of the machine, to a grooved drum 259 connected with a shaft 266, mounted adjacent the forward portion of the machine. It will be observed that the grooves in the drums 251 and 259 are arranged in two spaced groups and the two groups of grooves of drum 259 are spaced slightly further apart than the groups of grooves in the drum 251 so that the separate belts of the belt conveyor form two groups which diverge. Hence, the two severed plates 20 and 2| of the original twin battery plates are moved away from each other, as they are carried by the conveyor 256, thereby facilitating their removal from the machine in individual piles, and the scrapy resulting from operation of the breakout wheel and the lug cutter disks, can freely fall through the conveyor onto a scrap conveying belt 26|. This latter belt is mounted below the conveyor 256, in a manner hereinafter described, between inclined side plates 262 which are suitably secured to the side frame members of the machine.

In order to support the upper flights of the individual belts in the conveyor 256 and prevent their deflection under the weight of the battery plates, spaced guide rails 263 (see Fig. 4) are provided thereunder. These rails are supported from the side members of the machine adjacent the rear of the conveyor 256 by a transversely extending rod or shaft 264, the forward ends of these supporting plates being mounted upon transversely extending rods 265 and 266 (see Fig, 1) which are mounted between longitudinally extending side members or panels 261 and 268. The members or panels 261 and 268 provide a forward extension on the machine below the feeding mechanism 29, the forward portion of which extension is supported from the base of the machine |44 by suitable vertical standards or posts 269. lThe shaft 266 for the conveyor 256 is adiustably supported in this forward extension of the housing of the machine by bracket members 210, 21| each of which have a slotted open ing in the top thereof for receiving the shaft 266, these bracket members being slidably supported in horizontal guideways such as 212, 213. The bracket members 21|) and 21| are adjusted, and held in adjusted position, by means of a threaded stud or rod 214 extending rearwardly from each bracket and through a vertical plate 215 welded or otherwise secured transversely between the panels 261 and 268.

The plate 215 forms a .part of a support for a handling platform or deck 216 at the outer end of the extension provided by the side members 261 and 268. This deck 216 is further supported by vertically extending plate 211 and by side plates such as 218, the latter plates preferably being integral portions of the side members or panels 261 and 266. At least one of the side plates 218 is provided with an enlarged opening 219 for cleanout purposes, since the deck or platform 216 is provided With a plurality of holes '166 through which dust and small particles of scrap may freely flow. Preferably the opening 219 is connected with a source of reduced air pressure, thus creating a partial Vacuum Within the enclosure below the plate 216 so as to positively draw the dust and particles therein.

Adjacent the plate 215 there is provided an angularly extending supporting member 28| which extends upwardly from the conveyor 256 and has downwardly extending lingers or portions 282 connected thereto and extending between the individual belts of the conveyor. Hence, as the separated plates 26 and 2| are carried along by the conveyor 256, the said plates will tend to pile up in two distinct groups similar to the broken line indication shown in Fig. l. The plates may then be readily transferred by the operator onto the deck 216 where they may be straightened and carefully aligned with each other and then removed for subsequent operations.

The conveyor 256 is driven by means of a sprocket wheel 283 connected to the cuter end of the shaft 258 which extends through the vertical plate or support member |64, the sprocket 283 being attached to the shaft exteriorly of this plate. The sprocket 283 is connected by a chain 264 with a smaller diameter sprocket 295 connected With a stud shaft 266. The shaft 299 is journalled in a boss attached to the exterior surface of the plate |4, the said shaft 266 also being provided with a relatively large sprocket wheel 281. The sprocket wheel 281 is connected by a chain 288 with a relatively small diameter sprocket wheel 289 mounted upon the shaft 64 which, it will be remembered, is driven from the motor |42 through the variable speed mechanism, pulley |55, and sprockets |6|, |63 and chain |62.

The scrap conveyor 26| is a suitable flexible belt which extends about rotatable drums 296 and 29|, the slack of the belt being adjustable by means of an idler drum 292. The shaft for `the drum 29| is provided with a sprocket wheel 293, while the shaft 258 for the conveyor 256 is provided with a sprocket wheel 294. A chain 295 passes about the sprocket wheel 294, sprocket wheel 293, a sprocket wheel 296, and a relatively small sprocket wheel 291, all of which are suitably supported by one of the supporting members 262 for the scrap conveyor (see Figs. 1 and 3). This driving connection is such that the sprocket wheels 296 and 291 act to take up the slack in the chain 295.

Extendingfrom .the rearsupporting member or plate 298 ofthe apparatusis .aninclined scrap de ilectoror guard 25.9 having slotsadjacentits lower end for permitting .passage A.of the individualbeltsofthe conveyor =26. .Suitable other scrap .directing .chutes `.and .plates .may jbe A.provided withinithemachine tocarry the yrefuse. to the scrap .conveyor .261, and, .if desired, lanextension chute .mayibeprovided inalignment with the-outer-endof! thisscrap .conveyor tocarry .the materials Athereon exteriorly .of the machine zfor disposal. iInorder to :facilitate the .carrying tof the --scrap .upon .the .belt 28|, its `A.upper fightis supported by .a metal `plate .3fm .supported upon the members .262 and ihavingthe .portion .ad-jacent .the edges-.thereofginclined upwardly Lto provide a `so'rz'iewha't `trough .configuration `for .the upper :flight .of .the =.belt.

4The .rear supporting :frame plateor .member 2-98ispreferably .provi-fied .with .two vertically spaced openings for accommodating the .removal of 4scIapL-fronrthe.conveyor 126i `andi to yafford ,accessto `.the .upperportio'nof .the apparatus. -`.This upper openinginayibe .closedby hinged doors slch .asfl .and the top ofthe .machinexispreferably closed .by 1a .removable cover plate 32. In addition. the.gears,.lsprock ets, .and chains for driving the drum, breakout wheel, lug cutters, and feedingmechanism .areenclosed in asubstantially rectangular-housing:3ds provided .with u afhingeddoor l 3ilf4,..w.hich,is shown in open positionfingliig. .1.. The other .gearinganddriving mechanisms for the apparatus, as .for example, the pulley A4$55 and associated. sprocket .|6|., vtogetherwith the variable .speed mechanism, are 1;,"

likewise enclosedlin suitable .housings to prevent-the entrance .of scrap .ordustz therein. The several y beltsand .chains .employed .for effecting driving'lof the y.various .operating parts .of Vthe mechanism may be .provided :.withconventional slack adjusting.` means such assprocketsor pu1- leysfmounted on pivotedarms as iswell known in fthe art,v` these .slack v.adjusting .means having beenomitted for-th sake .of..clarity.of illustration.

Ingemploying the improvedapparatus -,the operator first adusts the spacing=between theinclinedmemberstl .andf:3.| .of .theffeeding'mechanism 29 to the properfwidthfor.the-twinor .dou-

ble plates? tn be handled, thisadjustxnent .be-

in g effected by-.operation 'ofthe ..crank= 52. The screws-98 and BBT-arethen adjustedsothatwhen the rods-55 are `raised-.and lowered, only. a-single double Vplate at ati-me is `fed over v.the .stop lugs 88,-89 and-B5. -He next adjusts. thedistance b etween the Vlug Acutting-disks'. I 'I |.'|2.;and |180.J |81 by means of "the Ycrank |80, which .also `simule taneously adjusts thetwo pair .of brushes since these ,are connected lfor movement .with the lug cutting disks. The pressure exerted by the breakout-wheel V12.211! -is adjustedby. means .offthe screws =2 49, '.259, andthe positions of.. therecesses int'h'e'periphery lof fthe .breakout wheelare. adjv'uste'd relativey to 'the .depressible segments ..-2| 5 on the -`drum-by.loosening `the screws 12.32 .and turning'the wheel 224 until the..notehed..portions 255`straddle-the lportions of reduced .width in. the depressi'ble .portions 121.5 .when .the `drum and wheel224 are rotated. fI-he .cperatorthen .sets the Ivariable speed. mechanism `:bymeans .of the crank |59 to operate .at apredeterminedspeed and placesa quantity.ofsthetwinnrdouble,plates P Ito-be separated lin to the :feeding-hopper f29 withthe lugs of..the...-plates .restingon the upper surfaces .-of the .members ...3.0 and 13 ...as i indicated byitheibrokenilines iniFig. .1. fNeXt .the motor |f42-is started. Thiseffects .rotationotthe .cam 63,(.the drum1||l2,.the.stareshapedfcams 2|, 2ll, cam .243,breakoutwheel EN, :and `also .places in operation .the `conveyor .2 56 and ..the.scrap .conveyor s226|.

"Rotationpf-thecami rocks the arm 6| .and therebyicausesfthe'bars :53 .and 5f torock up and down, .ijoggling theitwinfbattery.plates Psc that the latterfmoye towards the. .drum |.$2. v'-heforwairdmosttwinplate. withi'nthel feeding compartment.=29 is stopped by the .stop Vlug .65 engaging the vbottom .edge .of .the .plate and by the upstanding'ilugsi8.=and @which engagethe outwardly .extending portions 21, 28 ofthe. lugs. Actuationofcthelever 6| .bycamS also canses `the feeding rods Sito-reciprocate and sequentially eng-age the lugsof the torwardmosttwin .battery plate, --lifting the latter sufliciently .to .pass `beyond thestop lugs or members 65, 88 and :89. 'I he .platelthus lifted `lbeyonddthe stop lugsmoves by gravity Tinto engagement with va face .|508 on therotating -polygonal .drum |552, being .guided in :this movement by @the .extension members -all and 19| ,f-.the operation .of.ithe.1feeding rods ..85 being Sotimed that a.. plate.i.s .fed .when a-face .|08 of the .drum .isiin optimum. position fior receiving the plate. A

As "the twin-batteryplate engages .the .face |38 ofthe drum--'|'|!2,'ithe lower-edge thereofrests upon the cross meinbersforstrips .i3-.1', |38. :At this ftimeA the 1fingers 5| G9 and I 0 on. the-faee .of the drum, receiving -the Abattery plate, .are 4retracted bi1-means offthe stationary cams|25-and L36. As the drum=|ll2 .continues-to rotate, .the fingers '|09 and -illi arefmoved .into gripping engagement-withthe edges thereof bythesprings |l22 `and 13b Aatter the finger actuating '..rollers have meved past the cams-|25 and !|3,' the roller |399 acting Yto press -the .batter-y plate `into .firm engagement if with the If ace vof theA drum. Hence, the twin ;plate-is =properly .gripped on .the `face of the drum and without inj ury to Jthe-edges thereof. As `each-iacchi th`e .dru'rn moves .past the .feeding mechanism, `the-rods-=85 of the latter feed a .new twinplate Iinto .engagement with the face ofthe drum adjacentthereto iin the .manner jouit .described. Y

Continuedrotation 1'ofthe drum, with the battery plates P supported and heldlthereon :by means -oftheingers `'il-09 .and \.||-0, .moves the'. lugs 2.1, 2-3 J'of Lthepl'ates `hetweenlthev lug. cutting .disks |311., #maand ..|..\'|2, 182|.. Since .these disks 4are .in continuous v.rotatiorn they quickly and cleanly sever .the unwanted .extremities of the lues Jl andfe. the lugs than moving.. between: the bristles of e este n3 .na-.2in vihichremove any Y.. tecnici isn-...retecal which. may hat@ been .deposited poi/n. the i,lugs and .which Vwould interfere ,with t e V-athac hm'ent of the 'lugs .in la completed battery assembly, as byburning or vthe like. @eration .Dwing this movement. .0f ,the lues between the brushes, it will v'be observed that the star-shaped lcams 2|-0 `and 2H, which a-re rotated atfthe same speed as the drum |02, sequentialiy rock the-brushassemblies about the studs |93, .and -.t].f1e-".|or.'ush holders are further rockedlabont the .stub :shaftslQB by the cooperation ihetweemthearms 210D and ...the curved stationarynams L92. Consequently .the piane `of meeting...of the; brushes. isz-maintained ,at .all times substantially-parallel.with thefaces |08 of the drum;.as the;1atter are-rotated therepast so that the :lugs-.of :thebattery-plates are not twisted during-.thiscleaning operation.

The rotation of the drum |02 next carries the twin battery plates P under the breakout wheel 224, the supporting arm 225 of which is rocked by the cam 243 to maintain the axis of the breakout wheel substantially equidistant from the face of the drum |02 while the wheel is in engagement with a battery plate supported thereon. The wheel 224, being driven in timed relationship with the rotation of the drum, depresses and breaks out the central portion 22 joining the individual plates 20, 2| by virtue of the resilient mounting of the depressible portions 2|5 in the faces of the drum and which are in registry with the central or web portions 22 of the twin battery plates. The speed of rotation of the breakout wheel 224 is such that the cutout or recesses 255 thereon straddle the stub feet 23, 25, 24, 20 of the battery plates so that the central portion 22 may be broken out without injury to the said stub feet.

As the drum |02 continues to rotate, .the fingers |09 and ||0 are released from engagement with the plate by Virtue of the rollers on the crank arms |23 and |34 engaging the stationary cams |25 and |36. The severed battery plates 20, 2| therefore drop upon the conveyor 256 and are carried thereby to the forward portion of the machine, being moved in somewhat divergent paths due to the angle between the two groups of belts comprising the conveyor 256. lows the broken out portion 22, and the scrap from the severed lugs, to fall through the conveyor 255 upon the scrap conveyor belt 25| by which it is carried out of the machine at the rear thereof, that is, at the left as viewed in f Fig. 1. The severed battery plates will collect in two distinct groups at the forward end of the machine, the plates tending to rise on end, as indicated by the broken lines in Fig. l, by riding up the inclined plate 28|. These severed plates are removed by the operator and aligned into stacks or piles upon the perforated deck plate 216, from whence the severed plates may be moved to other points of use. After the apparatus has been initially adjusted, it can remain in continuous operation without requiring any attention from the operator except the supplying of plates to be separated to the feeding compartment 29 and the removal of the severed plates from the conveyor 256.

While the present preferred embodiment of the l invention has been described and illustrated in considerable detail, it will be readily understood that numerous modifications and adaptations thereof can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Therefore, the invention is not to be considered as limited to the exact details of construction herein illustrated and described, but only as required by the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

l. In an apparatus for operating upon storage battery plates united by an integral web, a frame, a polygonally shaped drum rotatably mounted on said frame, means for rotating said drum, plate holding means carried by said drum and movable relative to the latter for supporting and firmly holding connected battery plates on each face of the drum, means for breaking out the web joining the connected plates while the plates are supported and held on the drum and the latter is rotating, and means acting on the plate holding means subsequent to operation of said break- This aling means to move the plate holding means to plate releasing position.

2. The combination as defined in claim 1 and in which the plate holding means carried by said drum for supporting and holding connected battery plates on each face of the drum comprise a plurality of movable fingers for engaging edges of the plates, and resilient means for urging the said fingers to plate gripping position.

3. The combination as defined in claim 1 and in which the plate holding means carried by said drum for supporting and holding connected battery plates on each face of the drum comprise a plurality of movable fingers for engaging edges of the plates and resilient means for urging the said fingers to plate gripping position, and the said means for releasing the plate holding means comprising one or more stationary cams for actuating said fingers to plate releasing position during a predetermined portion of each rotation of the drum.

4. The combination as defined in claim 1 and in which each face of said drum is provided with a movable portion substantially corresponding to the location and shape of the web portion to be broken from the connected battery plates, the said movable portions moving inwardly of the planes of the faces of the drum under action of the means for breaking out the webs.

5. In an apparatus for operating upon storage battery plates united by an integral web, a frame, a polygonally shaped drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having unitary plate-like faces, means for rotating said drum, plate holding means carried by said drum and movable relative to the latter for supporting and rmly holding a unit of connected battery plates on each face of the drum, a rotatable disk adjacent the drum and engaging the webs joining the connected plates while the plates are supported and held on the drum and the latter is rotated to break out the said webs, and means acting on the plate holding means subsequent to engagement of said disk with the plate-joining web for moving the plate holding means to plate releasing position.

6. The combination defined in claim 5 and in which means are provided to cause the said rotatable disk to exert pressure upon said web, and further comprising means to adjust the pressure exerted by said disk.

'7. The combination defined in claim 5 and further comprising means to cause the said rotatable disk to exert pressure upon the said webs of the connected battery plates, a resiliently mounted movable portion in each face of said drum substantially corresponding in location and shape with the web portion to be broken from the connected battery plates, the said movable portions moving inwardly of the planes of the faces of the drum under the pressure exerted by said disk thereby facilitating the breaking out of the webs.

8. In an apparatus for operating upon storage battery plates united by an integral web, a frame, a polygonally shaped drum rotatably mounted on said frame and having unitary plate-like faces, means for rotating said drum, plate holding means carried by said drum and movable relative to the latter for supporting and firmly holding a unit of connected battery plates on each face of the drum, a rotatable disk adjacent said drum and engaging the webs between the connected plates while the plates are supported and held on the drum and the latter is rotating to break out the said webs, means for rotating said disk in timed relationship with the rotation of said drum,v

2camels' and .means .acting .on :the plate Aholding means after :the webs between connected plates have been .brckenout to move the said plate holding meansito platereleasing position.

.9. rllhe Acombination as defined in .claim 3 and innwhich thesaid rotatabledisk is provided with one .or .more .recesses l:in :its periphery for .straddlingspaced portions of. each battery plate adjacent the A.connecting web, whereby .the said spaced :portions are .not broken oif rby the said disk and provide stub .feet for the separated plates.

'10. .In-an apparatusfor operating upon storage battery plates unitedbyanintegral web, a frame, appolygonally shaped drum rotatably mounted on said lframe, means for rotating said drum, plate holding .meanscarried by said drum and movable relativeto -the'latter for supporting and firmlyholding a unit of connected Vbattery plates on .each :face of the drum, a rotatable disk adjacent said drum and -engaging the web joining the individual platesof Ya supported unitwhile the .plates aresupported and held on the drum and the 'latter fis' rotating to break out the said Websmeans for moving theaxisof said disk to r maintain it at a substantially uniform distance from each face of said drum as the latter is rotated .past said disk, and .means acting on the plate holding means after the web of the unit heldtherebyhasfbeeny broken out to move the said 1 plate holdingmeans to plate releasing position.

ll. The combination defined in claim 10 and in which means `are provided to adjust the distancelbetween the aXisof said disk and the faces of fthe drum to thereby adjust the pressure exertedby-said diskupon the said connecting webs.

l2. ln aniapparatus for operating upon storage batterycplatesunited by an integralweb, a frame, a lpolygonally shaped drum rotatably mounted onsaidframe andhaving plate-like faces, means for rotating said drum, plate holding means carriedlby said drum `and movable relative thereto for supporting and firmly holding a unit of connected .battery .plateson each face of the drum, a .rotatabledisk .adj acentsaid drum for .engaging the web joining the individual plates of a 4supported unit while fthe drum is rotating yto .break out llthe said web, means for rotating said `disk iii-timed relationship with the rotation of said drum, means forbodily moving said disk to maintain .its airis at `.a substantially uniform .distnce from eachface of said drum as thelatter is rotated past said disk, and means .acting on the plate `holding means after the web of .the unit held 'thereby has been broken out to move the saidplate holding means to plate releasing position.

1.13. The combination .defined in claim l2 and inlwhich each face of said drumis provided with a. :resiliently .mounted movable portion correspondingtothe location and shape of the web portion .tobe broken from each unit of connected battery plates, the said portions moving inwardly.of.:.the;planes of said faces under the pressure exerted .uponthe web `by saiddisk, and means to adjust the distance between the axisbf said disk and the .faces of-the drum .to therebyadjust vthe pressureexertedupon the webs by the disk.

fl-14. The combinationdeiined inY claim :13 Aand in Whichzthesaid` rotatable disk is provided with one or more recesses in its .periphery forstraddling spaced .portions of each batteryplate adjacent. the connecting web, .and-.the said movable portions inthefaces of the-drum are provided with -spaced laterally ,extending 4recesses lying .under the said spaced portions .of :the zbattery plates which .lare straddled by ithesaid disk with .rigid .portions .of the .said drum :faces extending into .said ;recesses to provide support -for .the .said .fspacedportions of :the .platesrthereabovey vvherebvthe said; spaced portionsof the-battery platesfare notsbroken off byssaid disk l.and provide .stub feet .fortheseparate'd plates.

15. In an apparatus forioperatingupon storage battery.platesunitedby an integral-web, a frame, a .-polygonally shapeddrum .rotatablymounted on said-.trama .means for :rotating said drum, means carried by said .drum for .supporting .and l"firmly holding fa `unit .of :connected battery plates .on each .'face .of i the drum, 4.aro'tatable .disk adjacent thedrumengaging ltheweb .joiningthe individual plates :of .a .supported .and held lunit while the drum is rotating .itc `break out said '.web, .ca-m means operated in timed .relationship withathe rotation .of .said .drum to bodily .move :said .disk in.a mannerto maintain :its.=axis.at va substantially uniform distance from each face of said drum as the zlatterfis rotated .past said disk, and means-.'.forireleasing.the plate holdingmeansafter the. web o`f .theunit .held thereby .has been .broken out.

..1'6. .An apparatus ofthecharacter describediin claim 1-'5 and Ifurther.comprising.meansifor adjustingthe pressure exertedLbyf-said .rotatable fdisk upon-.the said webs.

17. `The combination asiden'ed `in claim `1"-t5in Whichlthe `said disk has .fone or :more :recesses in its periphery for straddling spaced .portions .of each battery :plate adjacent .its .connecting Yweb, and .means are provided .for rotating said :disk in i'timed relationship .with the .rotation of .said drum, whereby-predetermined .spaced .portions .of ea'chbattery plateadjacen-t the connecting web arev not `=broken olf by .said .disk .and .provide .stub feet .for-the .separated lplates.

i8. .In anapparatus .foroperating upon .pairs of .storage :battery .plates lunited by -an .integral web 'and ghaving vlugs .extending .outwardly .at opposite `sidesthereo'iy .a frame,apolygonallyshaped drum .rotatably `mounted on said frame, means for rotating said drum, plate holdingmeanscarried by .said drum and :movable .relative Ithe-reto for supportingand.iirmlylholdinga pairof connected battery :plates onl each `face .of .the drum, means .adjacent said .drum for .cutting the lugs of .asupported pair ofplates .toa predetermined length .while the plates are -supportedand held on .the .drum and `the .latter is rotating, means sequentially cooperating with the faces of said drum .for breaking :out .the .web joining the Atwo individualplates of a held land supported Y pair of plates ywhile .the drum .is rotating, and means actingon the.plate `holding means after the Apair of .plates :held thereby .have been separated by breaking .out .the connecting. web .to move `said plate @holding .meansto .plate releasing position.

. .19. Inan .apparatus for. operating upon .pairs of storage fbattery plates united :by an integral web and .having llugs extending outwardly .at opposite.sides;thereof,aframe, alpolygonally shaped drum .rotatably :mounted .on .said iframe, means for rotating said drum, individually operable means carried .by said -drum `adjacent eachface thereof .and movable Vrelative.thereto .for supporting and Afirmly holding apair of connectedbattery plates on each Y.face of the drum, means adjacent the .drum for cutting the --lugs of -a supported pair of plates to a predetermined length While. the Vdrum is rotatingand the -plates 4,are held thereon, a rotatable disk cooperating with 23 said drum faces while the drum is rotating for breaking out the webA joining the two individual plates of a pair of plates supported and held on the drum after the lugs have been cut to a predetermined length, and means acting on each plate holding means after the pair of plates held thereby has been separated by breaking out the connecting web to move said plate holding means to plate releasing position.

20. The combination as defined in claim 19 and in which the means for cutting the lugs of the battery plates to a predetermined length comprise rotatable cutters mounted adjacent the sides of said drum in advance of the means for breaking out the webs connecting the individual plates.

21. The combination as defined in claim 20 and in which means are provided to simultaneously adjust the positions of said cutters relative to the sides of said drum.

22. The combination as defined in claim 21 and in which means are provided to rotate said cutters.

23. In an apparatus for operating upon pairs of storage battery plates united by an integral web and having lugs extending outwardly at opu posite sides thereof, a frame, a polygonally shaped drum rotatably mounted on said frame, means for rotating said drum, individually operable means carried by said drum adjacent each face thereof and movable relative thereto for supporting and firmly holding a pair of battery plates on each face of the drum, means for cutting the lugs of a supported pair of plates to a predetermined length while the drum is rotating and the plates are held thereon, a rotatable disk cooperating with said drum faces for breaking out the web joining the two individual plates of a pair of plates while supported and held on the rotating drum and after the lugs have been cut to a predetermined length, means for rotating said disk in timed relationship with the rotation of said drum, and stationarylmeans sequentially cooperating with each plate holding means to release the latter after the pair of plates held thereby has been separated by breaking out the connecting web.

24. In an apparatus for operating upon pairs of storage battery plates united by an integral web and having lugs extending outwardly at opposite sides thereof, a frame, a polygonally shaped drum rotatably mounted on said frame, means for rotating said drum, a plurality of movablel fingers carried by said drum adjacent each face thereof for supporting and firmly holding a pair of battery plates on each face of the drum, means adjacent said drum for cutting the lugs of a supported pair of plates to a predetermined length while the drum is rotating and the plates are held thereon by said fingers, a rotatable disk sequentially cooperating with the faces of said drum for breaking out the web joining the two individual plates of a pair of supported and held plates while the drum is rotating and after the lugs have been cut to a predetermined length, means for moving the said disk bodily to maintain its axis at a substantially uniform distance from each face of said drum as the latter is rotated past said disk so that the said disk exerts a substantially uniform pressure on said webs, and means for sequentially releasing the said ngers holding each pair of plates after the individual plates have been separated by breaking out the connecting web.

K 25. In an apparatus for operating upon pairs of storage batteryplates united by an integral Web and having lugs extending outwardly at op posite sides thereof, a frame, a polygonally shaped drum rotatably mounted on said frame, means for rotating said drum, a plurality of movable fingers carried by said drum adjacent each face thereof, resilient means normally urging said iingers in a direction to effect supporting and firm holding of a pair of battery plates on each face of the drum, a pair of rotatable cutters supported by said frame adjacent the sides of the drum for cutting the lugs of a supported and held pair of plates to a predetermined length while the drum is rotating, a rotatable disk cooperating with said drum for breaking out the web joining the two individual plates of a pair of supported and held plates while the drum is rotating and after the lugs have been cut to a predetermined length, means for rotating said disk in timed relationship with the rotation of said drum, means for moving said disk bodily to maintain its axis at a substantially uniform distance from each face of said drum as the latter is rotated past said disk so that the said disk exerts a substantially uniform pressure on said webs, and stationary cam means sequentially operating the movable fingers of each face of said drum to plate releasing position after the pair of plates held thereby has been separated by breaking out the connecting web.

26. In an. apparatus for operating upon pairs of storage battery plates having lugs extending outwardly at opposite sides thereof, a frame, a poiygonally shaped drum rotatably mounted on said frame, means for rotating said drum, means carried by said drum for supporting and firmly holding a pair of battery plates on each face of the drum, means adjacent said drum for cleaning the lugs of a pair of supported plates while the drum is rotating, means for moving said cleaning means in timed relationship with the rotation of said drum in a path to maintain the cleaning surfaces of said cleaning means substantially parallel with each face of said drum as the latter is rotated past said cleaning means, and means for subsequently releasing the plate holding means.

27. The combination as defined in claim 26 and in which the said cleaning means are rockably mounted adjacent the sides of said drum and the means for moving said cleaning means comprise cam means driven in timed relationship with the rotation of said drum and cooperating with said cleaning means to effect rocking thereof.

28. The combination as defined in claim 26 and in which the said cleaning means comprise assemblies rockably mounted adjacent the sides of said drum, and the means for moving said cleaning means comprise rotatable cam means for rocking said assemblies in timed relationship with the rotation of said drum, and stationary cam means for rocking the cleaning surfaces of said cleaning means relative to their assemblies.

29. The combination as defined in claim 28 and in which means are provided for simultaneously adjusting the said assemblies relative to the sides of the drum.

30. The combination as defined in claim 29 and in which the cleaning surfaces of said cleaning means comprise pairs of cooperating brushes between which the lugs of the battery plates pass as the drum is rotated.

3l. In an apparatus for operating upon pairs of storage battery plates united by an integral web and having lugs extending outwardly at opposite sides thereof, a frame, a polygonally 

